We recently asked our fourth-year students (shown above) to share some advice to IDEA Grad 2024 and 2025 as they finish up the Fall term and prepare for their industry practicums.

Check out their advice in this blog story!

Early Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2022 are open now on SlideRoom.

Alex Westcott 

Imagine big. Whether it be when exploring material, or other accounts of feasibility—at least sometimes. There’s a lot of room to experiment as a student, and exploring the realm of possibility to its very edge can glean some useful or weird insights, plus, it’s fun.

Alex Chen

I’d have to say the biggest thing I learned from IDEA School of Design is to make sure you budget your time efficiently and make sure you’re responsible with your time! There have been many times where I’ve found myself devoting too much time to projects and forgetting to have fun or be inspired by the things I enjoy, so definitely make sure you put as much effort into discovering your own interests outside of the program as well as making sure you give it your all for your projects.

Alina Sandu

Start out experimenting and taking risks. However, don’t do it for experiment's sake, use it to find your style and/or focus. Irregardless of that though know that time management is God and how good your experience at IDEA School of Design depends on how good you are at it.

Annika McFarlane

This is the time to experiment and try new styles, techniques, and approaches. Try to push yourself out of your comfort zone in a different way with each project. You will learn so much more and gain much more breadth in style and skill which will only help you as you begin to create portfolio pieces. Also, don’t take yourself too seriously! Most of the time nobody is going to die if your design isn’t quite right so try to be lighthearted and approach things with curiosity rather than fear.

Coralie Mayer

Start talking to people early on. The other IDEA School of Design cohorts are going to be your industry companions one day, and a recommendation can go a long way! You’ll find that nearly everyone is going to be welcoming and enthusiastic about what you do. And if you want people who’ll be extra-impressed by your skills, reach out to the many non-design students on campus. IDEA School of Design sometimes feels like a bubble apart from the rest of the University, but taking the time to get to know your peers with different backgrounds and skillsets is incredibly valuable. Most of the freelance work I’ve gotten so far has been through the IDEA School of Design blog and (to my delightful surprise) acquaintances from my elective classes.

Elizabeth Lin

IDEA School of Design may be an intensive program, but illustration and design don’t have to be your entire life! It’s good to explore other interests of yours and keep your mind running in different directions. A semester at IDEA School of Design can feel very stressful and design-focused so it’s okay to let your brain reboot during breaks or weekends. Plus, you never know how different interests of yours can help enhance your work. Everything helps as long as you keep trying and doing your best.

Emma Sato

Learn the Adobe shortcuts and do everything John Lau tells you to do, seriously!

Everyone’s creative process is a little different, but take the time to try different things while the stakes are low. Eventually, you’ll develop your own systems and workflows that feel natural. Also, a tiny amount of extra effort multiplies exponentially—whether it’s taking a minute to write a heartfelt thank-you email, or making a few last tweaks on your type. Recognize where that little extra push will have the biggest impact, and cut yourself a break on the other stuff. I tell myself, “Done is better than perfect,” because on my way to ‘done’, I usually get closer to (the impossible) ‘perfect’ than I could have if I was aiming for it.

Joyce Chan

It might be hard sometimes knowing that we have tight deadlines, the outcome of projects is usually better when you’re having fun and enjoying the process. Also, try to learn and find other hobbies outside of school. It’s the little accumulation of experiences that sets you apart from other people!

Katrina L.

Have fun! First-year has a lot of fun projects so don't shy away from trying new mediums and taking risks. The first year is all about taking risks and trying new things (in your projects not in general!)

Since IDEA School of Design Grad 2024’s first year was online I recommend they try to connect with the other years while on campus. I believe their online/on-campus schedule is the same as ours so come say hi to us! We're usually in AR125. And get Slack for your group! It's so handy!

Mikaela Johnson

Try everything you can and don’t take yourself too seriously. The first couple years of IDEA School of Design are a great time to push yourself to experiment.

Rocio Palomar Robisco

While it might be a little scary at the beginning, I really recommend taking advantage of your instructor's office hours and always reaching out for extra help if you feel that you need it! I’ve always found it incredibly helpful.

Tal

Although school can be very consuming and take up the majority of your time, make sure that you’re pursuing hobbies and activities outside of IDEA School of Design! Having passions away from design work makes you a more capable creative in the long run. Bringing your experience and insights into projects can be just as important as your execution skills (and will make projects way more fun for you). Think of it like side quests for design XP. (Plus, it gives you an excuse to take breaks from homework and not feel guilty about it.)

Messing up on a project is OK! It can certainly be hard when you’ve spent so much time and energy on something to see the final result be less than successful. Remember that this is new to you and part of learning will inevitably involve doing something incorrectly. Learning to be ok with failures, taking them in stride, and working to improve specific skills with them in mind is one of the most valuable things IDEA School of Design has taught me.

Go to the snowboard beer garden outside the library in the spring. It’s a great time.

Gather great inspiration. Find work that makes you excited to create, bundle it into a big ball, and make that into something of your own. And don’t be ashamed to use Pinterest!

Tin Trinh

Of course, your instructors are there to guide you and help you on your journey but don’t get too caught up in catering to them. At the end of it all, it’s your education and your portfolio, so try to make it worthwhile.